American literature...female characters get killed?

Question

Okay so i am doing an american lit paper about how strong female characters seem to die alot like in the last of the mohicans, cora dies, then in blithesdale romance zenobia dies, in the great gatsby myrtle gets killed...where as in books by female authors like jane austen (i know not american but still) the strong female character lives happily ever after...most of the time that is...
MY QUESTION IS....
Can you help me find at least two more pre 1960 books by american male authors where a strong female character either dies or has something terribly bad happen to them???

PLEASE AND THANKYOU ....YOU WOULD BE A LIFESAVER!!!!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

William Faulkner "As I Lay Dying" Addie Bundren dies of a disease, and the action of the novel is her husband and children's journey to take her to be buried.

William Faulkner "If I Forget Thee Jerusalem" A woman who flaunts convention to openly live with her boyfriend without getting married dies of complications of a illegal abortion performed by the boyfriend.

Henry James "Daisy Miller" a flirtatious young woman scandalizes her friends and companions, contracts Roman Fever and dies.

There are many others, but these are the first three which came to mind